#GolicButtPhoto: ESPN colleagues weigh in on end result of Mike & Mike bet
A bet is a bet, paying off my wager to @Espngreeny #GolicButtPhoto pic.twitter.com/cY8UUndVlf
— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) November 21, 2014
In case you missed it last week, Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic – hosts of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike — had a friendly wager between them on the outcome of the Northwestern-Notre Dame game, as the two are alums of the schools, respectively.
Host Notre Dame lost to Northwestern 43-40 on Saturday, which meant that Golic had to make good on his bet, as determined by Greeny – sing the Wildcats’ fight song while wearing a [current Northwestern head coach and former Wildcats star] Pat Fitzgerald jersey and pose for a recreation of the now-infamous Kim Kardashian “Paper” magazine cover.
The photo was revealed this morning on Mike & Mike, generating a furor of reaction across social media. The hashtag #GolicButtPhoto trended worldwide and in the United States on Twitter; “Mike Golic” trended on Facebook.
The reactions from some of ESPN’s Northwestern alums were mixed, with most expressing a combination of glee and horror:
ESPN bureau reporter Britt McHenry: “This was the first thing I woke up to this morning – literally, rolled over in my bed, checked email on my phone, and BAM! There’s Mike Golic. It was an interesting start to the day, to say the least. Now, I really question if I should root for my alma mater any more. Well done on the facial expression, though, Golic. Spot on!”
ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell: “I’m confident, given the nature of the bet, that Golic thought there was no shot of losing this game. Having made the trek to South Bend, it will be a memory that I will never forget. Unfortunately, after seeing Golic this morning, this will also be memory I will never forget!”
SportsCenter anchor Steve Weissman: “I love my school, but that’s not exactly my idea of the spoils of victory. Golic gives new meaning to South Bend. Go Cats!”
ESPN.com senior writer, Around The Horn panelist and ESPN NBA reporter J.A. Adande: “He needs a bigger ribbon and more Photoshop!”
ESPN commentator and NBA Tonight host Cassidy Hubbarth:
@MikeAndMike @Espngreeny How is this POSSIBLY a reward for the Cats win?! This is not a win. Everyone loses here. Every. One. 🙂
— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) November 21, 2014
Likewise, other ESPN colleagues without Northwestern ties offered their reactions:
whatever bet golic lost was a bet you guys could have let him win. being petty gets us nowhere. #GolicButtPhoto
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) November 21, 2014
I can actually tweet that I want to see @espngolic's butt w/o being sent to HR. #HiddenBenefitsOfTheHiney #GolicButtPhoto @MikeAndMike
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) November 21, 2014
Watch out internet – #GolicButtPhoto is unveiled. Oh my goodness. I can't unsee what I just saw on @MikeAndMike
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) November 21, 2014
Dan Quinn and Kristen Hudak contributed to this post